Slay the Spire PC Hardware Guide
Official requirements explained
The official minimum for Slay the Spire is a 2.0 GHz CPU with x64 SSE2 support, 1 GB of video memory on a GPU that supports OpenGL 3.0 or later (2.1 with ARB extensions is also accepted), 2 GB of RAM, and 1 GB of storage. The publisher does not state that an SSD is required. Against our reference data, the CPU floor sits around the level of an old Core 2 Duo E8400, and the GPU floor is about an Intel HD Graphics 4000 integrated chip. In plain terms, the bar is very low, and almost any PC from the last several years will start the game without trouble.
No recommended specification was published, so there is no separate recommended CPU or GPU to compare against the minimum. The practical meaning is that meeting the minimum is enough to play normally, and you do not need high-end hardware to enjoy it.
This is a CPU-heavy game, so processor performance and consistency matter more than the graphics card. Even a modest GPU that can output OpenGL graphics will handle turn-based card battles comfortably.
Recommended builds for three budgets
The entry build pairs an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB with an Intel Core i3-10100F and 16 GB of RAM. It sits well above the official minimum and suits anyone who wants to build decks whenever they like without caring about visual extras.
The mainstream build uses an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 with an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and 16 GB of RAM. The extra cores give more headroom for late-game runs with many units and complex logic, and it suits players who keep streaming software or other programs open alongside the game.
The high-end build uses an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and 32 GB of RAM. Honestly, this game does not need that much hardware, so most of the money here is spent for little gain. It only makes sense if you run multiple high-resolution displays or heavy applications at the same time.
Graphics settings with the biggest impact
In a CPU-leaning strategy game like this one, the settings that cost the most are usually the ones tied to unit counts and simulation: crowd density, physics detail and view distance. If the game starts to feel sluggish, lower these first. The effect is usually more noticeable than changing textures or resolution.
Shadows and volumetric effects are the most common GPU-side costs. Dropping shadows to medium or low, or turning off volumetrics, frees up resources without hurting your ability to read the board. Ray tracing, if offered, adds little to this visual style and is generally best left off.
Upscaling technologies such as DLSS, FSR and XeSS render at a lower internal resolution and reconstruct the image at your target resolution. For a game with a relatively simple picture like this one, the benefit is modest, and it cannot fix a CPU bottleneck. Identify where the limit is before deciding which settings to change.
Laptops and handheld PCs
A laptop GPU carrying the same name as a desktop card usually performs differently because of power limits and cooling. A laptop version of the GTX 1650, for example, may have a much lower sustained power ceiling than its desktop counterpart. If performance drops after long sessions, the cause is typically thermal or a power-saving profile. Switching to a high-performance mode and keeping the vents clear usually helps.
Handheld PCs such as the Steam Deck or ROG Ally are low-power integrated platforms. They should have ample capability for this game given how low the official requirements are. We do not have verification data for these devices, so we cannot give them a specific rating; in general, their hardware is sufficient. To extend battery life, lower the refresh rate or the resolution.
When choosing a laptop, meeting the CPU and RAM recommendations above and using an SSD will give you a comfortable experience.
Storage and memory
The official minimum RAM is 2 GB, but on a modern system we suggest at least 16 GB so the operating system and background programs have room without slowing things down. If you use dual-channel memory, install two modules of matching capacity to get the better bandwidth.
The official minimum storage is 1 GB. The game itself is small, but leave extra room for updates and save files. An SSD is not formally required, though it noticeably shortens loading times, which matters if you frequently move between battles and maps. The game will run from a hard drive, just with slower loads.
Install the game on an SSD where you can, and keep enough free space available.